City, tribal and county leaders to meet Tuesday

Goodhue County commissioners hope a Tuesday meeting with local city and tribal leaders will help generate cost-saving ideas in the wake of budget dilemmas and shrinking state aid.

Area government officials have been meeting annually the past several years. Commissioners Jim Bryant and Ron Allen said the gathering helps officials countywide put their heads together and discuss common issues.

That may be more important than ever this year as township, city, county and state governments struggle to balance their budgets, the commissioners said.

"As the budget becomes more critical I think you're going to see more people buying into this idea that we need to meet," Allen said. "All of us are facing the same issue about controlling our budgets. If we can work together and not duplicate services, we can help each other."

Allen and Bryant, Goodhue County Board chairman, both said they hope Tuesday's meeting will be largely about how city, tribal and county governments can not only share resources but eliminate duplicate services.

The topic is on the agenda, along with discussion about the 800 Mhz radio project, countywide law enforcement, high-speed rail, the Elk Run project and Red Wing's solid waste campus.

Allen said he hopes the group discusses sharing resources, like snowplows and other large equipment.

"Partnering is the way to go forward now," he said. "You can't do it by yourself."

Bryant said all ideas will be up for discussion, even those that may not be popular with constituents.

"I think just about everything could be on the table," he said.

Bryant said the group will need to think outside the box to solve their budget problems.

"Just like I say at the county, 'Don't tell me it doesn't work, tell me how it could work,'" he said.

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